“National seeks to
balance environmental goals with our other goals of
increasing economic prosperity and providing more
opportunities for Kiwis from all walks of life,” says Mr
Key. “In seeking that balance, we will never forget that
New Zealand’s outstanding physical environment is a key
part of what makes our country special.

“In climate
change, we will set an achievable target of a 50% reduction
in New Zealand’s carbon-equivalent net emissions, as
compared to 1990 levels, by 2050.

“A
well-designed, carefully balanced emissions trading scheme
is the best tool to efficiently reduce emissions. National
will introduce and pass amending legislation to the
Government’s ETS within nine months of taking office, in
line with our well-publicised series of six
principles.

“The ETS will be accompanied by other
emission-reduction moves to encourage sustainable biofuels,
electric vehicles, and solar water systems.

“In
environmental governance, National will work with
stakeholders to agree up to 20 national environment goals to
be achieved by specific dates, at the latest by
2030.

“To give those goals resonance, we will introduce
legislation requiring the Parliamentary Commissioner for the
Environment to conduct State of the Environment reports
every five years.

“National will also expand the
existing Environmental Risk Management Authority into an
Environmental Protection Authority combining Erma’s
existing powers with new powers. These changes will not
mean any extra bureaucrats.

“In conservation, National
will establish a new national park in Northland’s Waipoua
and surrounding Kauri forests, and investigate a new
national park on the public lands of the Waitakere
Ranges.”

National has initiatives in a number of other
environmental areas as well, and these can be found in our
policy paper published on the National Party website at
www.national.org.nz.

The Government has approved a negotiating mandate for Trans-Pacific Partnership 11 (TPP11), which will ensure New Zealand businesses remain competitive in overseas markets.

Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand will be pushing for the minimal number of changes possible to the original TPP agreement, something that the remaining TPP11 countries have agreed on. More>>

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As a desperate Turnbull government tries to treat the Barnaby Joyce affair as a Pauline Hanson fever dream – blame it on the foreigners! We’re the victims of the dastardly New Zealand Labour Party! – our own government has chosen to further that narrative, and make itself an accomplice. More>>

Wellington City Council is partnering with the University of Otago, Wellington, to launch a voluntary Rental Warrant of Fitness for minimum housing standards in Wellington, Mayor Justin Lester has announced. More>>

“The Crown acknowledges Moriori was left virtually landless from 1870, hindering its cultural, social and economic development. The Crown also acknowledges its contribution to the myths that the people of Moriori were racially inferior and became extinct." More>>

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